Saturday, November 30, 2019

Winter Park Program Signup Starting

The Chicago Park District has announced that online
registration for winter park programming opens December 2 and 3, following a strong fall session. This marks the 3rd consecutive year in the history of the Park District that more than 400,000 residents have enrolled in park programs.



“Chicago’s parks are bustling with activity all year long and winter is no exception,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Michael P. Kelly. “From ice skating and indoor swimming to ceramics and woodcraft, there are a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities to enjoy the winter inside and outside park fieldhouses across the city.”

Online registration opens on December 2 for parks located west of California Avenue and on December 3 for parks located east of California Avenue at 9 a.m.


In-person registration begins either Saturday, December 7 or Monday, December 9, depending upon the park.  Most winter programs run from the week of January 6 to the week of March 9.

There are workshops and winter-themed adventures being offered at parks citywide. Winter park programs run the gamut from fitness classes to swimming, basketball and ice hockey activities. Wellness programs provide varied options for winter physical activity and focus on helping people of all ages maintain a healthy lifestyle. Teens and adults registering for winter sports leagues also have a place to convene and engage in healthy play in Chicago’s parks.

The Park District offers options for learning new instruments like the guitar or violin or taking on a hobby like photography, sewing and quilting. There are also classes like printmaking, t-shirt painting and drum circle that offer participants creative outlets to stay active and entertained in the long winter months. 

In addition, there are slots still available for winter break camps in park locations citywide. These camps offer children a place in their neighborhoods to socialize and stay engaged with sports, arts and crafts and many cultural activities while school is out, starting the week of December 23, at many park locations.

Park patrons are encouraged to browse the online schedule and create a wish list of their favorite classes in preparation for registration day at chicagoparkdistrict.com.

Before registering for winter programs, patrons are encouraged to follow the registration tips listed below.

Preparing for Registration Day

• Set up an account on the new registration system if you haven’t already.

• Add all persons who you plan to register for on your account.

• Check your account login and password before registration begins. 

• Review your account information and make changes as needed.

• Browse the list of winter programs. 

• Create a wish list with the programs that you plan to register.

• View the registration process page for more information.

For more information, visit chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-742-PLAY.




Friday, November 29, 2019

Burglars Hitting Western Garfield Ridge


By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

A burglary crew appears to be hitting the west end of Garfield
Ridge, according to an alert issued today by CPD.

Police said the cluster of five crimes involved homes and/or garages.

Crime scenes (and when the crime occurred and/or was discovered) included:

• 5500 block of South Natchez at about 7 a.m. Thursday, November 21.

• 5600 block of South Oak Park at about 5 a.m. Saturday, November 23.

• 5300 block of South Natchez at about 3:10 p.m. Saturday, November 23.

• 5200 block of South Neva at about 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, November 27.

• 5300 block of South Neenah at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, November 27.

Police described the criminals as:

• a black man age 18-25;
• a Hispanic man about 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-11, 240-260 pounds.
• a Hispanic man about 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-9, 150-165 pounds.

Those with useful information to share about any or all the crimes are encouraged to call CPD Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8380 and refer to crime pattern P19-1-388

In the wake of the crimes, police advise:

• Keep the perimeter of your property well lit.
• Report suspicious activity immediately.
• Keep doors and windows secured.
• Immediately repair any broken windows, doors or locks.
• If video surveillance is available, save and make a copy of the incident for investigating detectives.
• Make an agreement with your neighbors to watch each other's homes for suspicious activity.
• If you are a victim, do not touch anything; call police immediately
• If approached by a witness to the incident, request contact information.


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Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Crime News Update

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in the western section of the district. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.


* * *

Blood analysis leads to burglary rap, two years later

A 24-year-old Clearing woman was charged with burglary after she was arrested at her
Malewski
home in the 6400 block of South Austin at 5:55 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3.


Senia R. Malewski was arrested in connection with a Sept. 29, 2017 burglary in the 5800 block of West 64th Street. A CPD spokesman said “she was identified through investigation as the individual who broke a back sliding door to a residence and cut herself in the process, leaving her blood. She took personal items from inside the home and her DNA was later tested while she was in custody on an unrelated charge. The DNA match led to her burglary charge.”

According to public records, Malewski was arrested in April 2018 and charged with one felony count of aggravated battery in connection with a shooting that occurred in Canaryville. Police said Malewski “entered the victim's residence…at which time with another offender attempted to enter the residence, but the door was closed on him.” The male offender, identified by police as 23-year-old Bridgeport resident Eric Blake, allegedly drew a pistol and shot the victim, a 46-year-old man, in the chest and right arm. Despite being shot, the victim reportedly was able to close the door and prevent the would-be home invaders from entering. Police said that Malewski “then met up with [Blake] at the back of the residence and they fled the scene together.” The victim was later transported to Stroger Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition.



* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in and/or own a business in Beat 812 (see map) make plans to attend your next CAPS meeting, set for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 13 at St. Symphorosa Church, 6135 S. Austin. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.



* * *


Claim man used screwdriver to hurt other man
Perez-Herrera



A 33-year-old Back of the Yards man was charged with battery after he was arrested in the 6100 block of West 63rd Street at 11:36 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1.

Jose Perez-Herrera, of the 2200 Block of West 50th Street, allegedly hit a 32-year-old man in the face and head with a screwdriver during a domestic-related argument. 








Claim man threw woman to the floor
Garcia



A 44-year-old Archer Heights man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested in the 6300 block of South Pulaski at 2:41 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.


Pavlino Garcia, of the 4800 block of South Kilpatrick, allegedly threw a 43-year-old woman to the floor during a domestic-related argument inside a local restaurant.







Bust man in Sleepy Hollow on theft charge
Lucas



A 45-year-old Austin man was charged with theft after he was arrested in the 4600 block of South Knox at 5:10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4.


Brian S. Lucas, of the 600 block of North Pine, allegedly took a bag full of copper scrap punches from a scrap iron and metal warehouse.






Man charged with hijacking a car
Gray


A 27-year-old Woodlawn man was charged with vehicular hijacking  after he was arrested in the 5100 block of South Pulaski at 8:27 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Jamal Gray, of the 6300 block of South Rhodes, allegedly implied he had a weapon and commandeered a white Buick Enclave from a 29-year-old man while the victim’s 2-year-old child was in the car. The victim was able to extract his child before the offender fled in his car.

Police said that Gray later crashed the vehicle in the 5100 Block of South Harding. They did not say where the crime occurred.

According to public records, Gray has been arrested five times by CPD since 2015 on charged that included retail theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and battery.








Hit man with weapons violation
Crenshaw



A 21-year-old Scottsdale man was charged with unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested during a traffic stop in the 8000 block of South Kolin—the block where he lives—at 7:20 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3.


Gary J. Crenshaw allegedly admitted to police that he had a handgun in his vehicle that was not properly secured in a lock box.






Arrest woman for battery
Castro



A 29-year-old woman was charged with battery after she was arrested in the 5400 block of South Massasoit at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.


Yesenia Castro allegedly hit another person in the head and body during an argument “over property,” police said.




Charge woman with domestic battery
Roman



A 28-year-old woman was charged with domestic battery after she was arrested in the 5400 block of South Massasoit at 1:35 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.


Irene Roman allegedly hit another person in the head and body, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.









Claim man used knife to puncture tires
Camarilo



A 60-year-old man was charged with criminal damage to property after he was arrested in the 6200 block of South Narragansett at 5:41 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Joseph Camarilo allegedly used a knife to punch holes in the tires of a person’s vehicle, police said.

According to public records, Camarilo was arrested back in August near 52nd and Kilbourn and charged with assault.










Claim man stole goods, threatened clerk

A 65-year-old South Side man was charged with retail theft and assault after he was
Latimore
arrested in the 5400 block of South Archer at 12:46 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23.


James Latimore, of the 8000 block of South Peoria, “was arrested on signed complaints that he knowingly took merchandise from a local retail store without paying,” a CPD spokesman said. “The victim relayed that, when she attempted to stop Latimore, Latimore verbally threatened her before leaving the store. Officers located Latimore, who had the stolen merchandise on his person at the time.” Police declined to say what allegedly was stolen. 

According to public records, Latimore was arrested four times by CPD since 2018, on charges that included retail theft and bail violation.






Suburban woman hit with drug charge
Chierico


A 40-year-old Willow Springs woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after she was arrested during a traffic stop in the 5200 block of South Kilpatrick at 10:58 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.

Tina A. Chierico, of the 8400 block of Willow West, was seated in a vehicle that was illegally parked, police said. “Officers observed narcotics and narcotics contraband in the vehicle,” a CPD spokesman added.

According to public records, Chierico was arrested by CPD in June, near 63rd and Kilpatrick, and charged with soliciting rides from motorists.






Bust man for shoplifting at Ford City
Ashby



A 22-year-old Roseland man was charged with retail theft after he was arrested at Ford City at 4:40 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

Marcus E. Ashby, of the 12100 block of South Wentworth, was arrested without incident. Police declined say what was allegedly stolen or from which store.

According to public records, Ashby has been arrested eight times by CPD since 2015, on such charges as retail theft (four times) and possession of a controlled substance.





Claim man tried to bilk store
Saucedo



A 21-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with retail theft after he was arrested at a store in the 5700 block of West 63rd Street at 6:23 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

Julian L, Saucedo, of the 5600 block of South Newland, allegedly made several fictitious returns of store merchandise, police said.

According to public records, Saucedo was arrested near his home back in March and charged with cannabis possession.





She hit me in the arm, man tells police
Clearihue



A 46-year-old West Lawn woman was charged with domestic battery after she was arrested at her home in the 6300 block of South Kilbourn at 9:46 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30.


Ofelia Clearihue allegedly struck a man in the arm during an argument.








Charge suburban man with criminal trespass
Perez-Urbina



A 26-year-old man from suburban Cicero was charged with criminal trespass to a residence after he was arrested at 12:24 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29 in the 5500 block of South Pulaski. 

Jose Perez-Urbina, of the 4300 block of South 60th Court, was arrested after a person called police that Perez-Urbina was inside his residence.

According to public records, Perez-Urbina has been arrested three times by CPD since 2018.



garfieldridgenw.com


Nab man again on weapons violation
Renteria


A 19-year-old West Lawn man was charged with drugs and weapons violations after he was arrested at 4:23 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 in the 4100 block of West 65th Street.

Isaiah M. Renteria, of the 6500 block of South Kedvale, was taken into custody after a traffic stop. “Officers observed Renteria (a passenger in the vehicle) exit the vehicle during the stop and patted him down for weapons, discovering a handgun on the subject, in addition to suspected narcotics,” a CPD spokesman said.

He was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, although police did not say what weapon was confiscated. He also was charged under the “armed habitual criminal” statute.

According to public records, Renteria has been arrested three times this year by CPD, once for burglary, once on a weapons charge.











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